Illinois QB Wes Lunt Will Start Vs. Iowa

The Illinois Fighting Illini will welcome back quarterback Wes Lunt with open arms this Saturday when the sophomore returns from a broken left fibula suffered on October 4. The return could not come soon enough for the Fighting Illini wide receivers as the entire structure of the team’s offense relies upon Lunt’s arm. In his absence, the team was forced to become a more run-oriented squad limiting the effectiveness of their receiving core.

“Now that Wes is back, you can just feel a different vibe,” said receiver Mike Dudek, Lunt’s top target. “We all know what he’s capable of doing.”

“The guy’s got a really good arm and he’s really accurate,” offensive coordinator Bill Cubit added. “If I’m a wide receiver, I’m going to feel a little bit better.”

Through five games, Lunt’s numbers were extremely impressive completing 66.5 percent of his passes for 1,569 yards, 13 touchdowns and just three interceptions. The statistics spilled over onto the receiving core as Dudek caught 45 passes for 707 yards- an Illinois freshman record. In Lunt’s return, it remains up to the Fighting Illini offensive line to keep their quarterback protected and save him from any further injuries. Lunt has said that his injured leg does not bother him, and that he should be at full strength for Saturday’s game.

“Now that I’m comfortable with putting weight on it, it’s no big deal,” Lunt said. “That’s football. I’ve been hurt multiple times. I know how to get back in the game.”

Still, the team managed a 1-2 record without Lunt in the lineup which allowed Illinois to remain in bowl contention. They currently stand at 4-5 and have three remaining games against Iowa, Penn State and Northwestern. Each of the aforementioned games is extremely winnable and if the Fighting Illini can grab two of three games they will qualify for the post season.

 

*Section Photo credit to Otto Greule Jr., Getty Images; Featured Photo credit to Joe Nicholson, USA Today Sports. 

Toomer’s Corner Oaks To Be Replaced In 2015
Toomer’s Corner Oaks To Be Replaced In 2015